Mechanical Engineering (MEE)

Dr. Whyte A. Akpan is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi. He is a native of Ifa Ikot Okpon, Etoi, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He had his primary and Secondary Education at Obo Ikot Ita, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area and Lutheran High School, Obot Idim, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, where he obtained his First Living Certificate (FSLC) and West African Examinations Council Certificate (WAEC) in 1980 and 1985 respectively. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State between 1988 to 1994 and obtained a B. Eng. in Mechanical Engineering, with specialization in Industrial and Production Engineering.

Dr. Whyte Akpan worked in the private sector as a Mechanical and Sales Engineer with Tycol Limited, Port Harcourt, a major contractor to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiaries and also as a Field Engineer with CKS Environmental Services Nigeria Limited (a subsidiary of STB H₂0, France) a contractor and sub-contractor to Total, National Agip Oil company (NAOC), Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Walter Smith, Seplat, Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited (NDPR), Nexen Petroleum Nigeria Limited, Frontier Oil Limited, Etc. He has experience in the oil and gas industry and has worked at onshore and offshore locations. He is a specialist in oil field solids control and waste management: solidification, inertization and stabilization, equipment maintenance and asset management, and project supervision. He can readily provide technical and consultancy in oil field solids control and waste management services.

He obtained his Masters, M.Tech. in Production Engineering from Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt in 2008. Dr.Whyte A. Akpan bagged his Ph.D in Production Manufacturing Engineering from Enugu State University of Science and Technology in 2018. He has published widely in many Local and International Journals and has also served as a reviewer for many Local and International Journals. Dr. Whyte A. Akpan has spent more than 20 years in the University System, beginning his career in academics as a Graduate Assistant. He has flair for Research Projects supervision and has served as Undergraduate and Postgraduate Project Coordinator at various times. He has also served in many committees in the University System and also attended workshops and conferences.

Dr. Whyte A. Akpan is a member of many Professional bodies including the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Council for the Regulation of Engineering (COREN). He has many awards to his credit including Plateau State National Youth Service (NYSC) award in 1995.

He is currently the Acting Provost of School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET), who kick-started the first session for School of Engineering and Engineering Technology based on National Universities Commission (NUC) Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS). He is also the Pioneer Acting Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi. His areas of Research interest include: Industrial Engineering, Design, Manufacturing, Noise and Vibration, Mechatronics and Robotics, Aerodynamics and Artificial Intelligence. He loves football, reading and music.

Welcome Message

Dear Mechanical Engineering Students,

You are welcomed to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi (FUTIA). You are here reminded that, you are in one of the specialized Universities of Technology to pursue your course of study; and as such , you are expected to follow all the laid down rules and regulations of the University and be ready to surrender yourself to teaching and learning. This is very important if you are to succeed as a graduate of this Department. Mechanical Engineering is a noble profession and a backbone of other Engineering programmes.

You will be required to take courses in Sciences, General Studies and other areas including General Engineering and finally in your specialty, Mechanical Engineering. Your success in Mechanical Engineering will largely depend on your deep knowledge and performance on the foundation courses that you have been taught. You should approach your studies with seriousness, persistency and determination. It is therefore important for you to take every course seriously-attend classes, laboratory practical, do your assignment and term paper on timely basis.

Feel free to discuss your academic problems with your level adviser, course lecturer and brilliant Students and use all facilities provided by the University when necessary.

You are expected to be of high moral conduct and behaviour, in addition to excellent academic performance, knowing that your immediate and future contributions to the growth and development of your host community, local, state, country and global world depend on these.

Engr. Dr. Whyte A. Akpan

Email: whyteakpan@futia.edu.ng

PHILOSOPHY OF THE PROGRAMME

The Mechanical Engineering Programme is designed to accommodate, reflect and impart the general concept of technological and technical education with a broad-based, a sound and a blend of theoretical and practical know-how. The ever growing need for middle level manpower in Mechanical Engineering profession is as a result of expansion in the exploration and exploitation of abundant natural resources like oil, gas and a variety of other numerous mineral wealth in the country.

Consequently, the high increase in the number of mechanically based manufacturing and service industries has generated interest in the profession beyond gender division, leading to the placement of the course as a pivot in the practice of engineering generally.

Mechanical Engineering covers the science and art of formulation, design, development, manufacturing and control of systems and components. These may take in account both power-generating machines and machines that transform and consume this power, such as turbines, engines, propulsion devices, fossil and nuclear power plants, transportation systems (space vehicles, marine vehicles, automobiles, trains, etc.) and motor control mechanisms.  Other aspects that fall under this include refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, cryogenic systems, manufacturing systems and machines, earth-moving devices, building services and material handling.

Therefore, Mechanical Engineering field is broad and requires a sound knowledge of numerous subjects spanning thermodynamics, heat transfer, machine design, engineering drawing, mechanics of solids, fluids, materials and machines, etc. A basic knowledge of other related branches of engineering specifically, Civil, Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering is imperative.

Our overall philosophy then is to produce graduates of Mechanical Engineering of a high academic standard equipped with sufficient technical and practical know-how, who will be able to fit immediately and efficiently into the academic world, industries and consultancy services so as to contribute immensely towards National goals and industrial evolution and technological advancement.

In pursuit of this philosophy, Mechanical Engineering training is fashioned to develop a concise practice in training, promote association of the programme with industries in the country, offer basic courses fundamental to all Engineering fields and other related science and technical fields of study, design projects with bias towards local content and application, and handle project in the final year in which the student works under a supervisor. There is also distinctive skills and thorough training in a specific aspect of the programme via options and electives, together with broad understanding in the area of Engineering Economics, Management and Law to better equip the our graduates for the challenges ahead.

MISSION

To adopt good and understandable scientific, engineering and technical principles in training and research towards accomplishing, design, innovation, manufacturing/production, repairs and maintenance of mechanical engineering systems and services in excellent manners.

VISION

To produce graduate engineers who are scientifically and technologically knowledgeable in

Innovations and transformations in the scientific and technological community, with a greater number of them geared towards self-employment and/or providing consultancy services among others.

CORE VALUES

Our core values are; Research, Teaching, Community Service, Impact, Creativity and Innovation.

STRATEGIC GOALS

Our Strategic goals are:

1. Produce Mechanical Engineering graduates who are first rate with modern knowledge and skills.
2. Provide the Students with theoretical and practical knowledge of enquiry to solve Mechanical Engineering problems in particular and Engineering problems in general.
3. Create in the Students ‘ I can do spirit’ for creativity, independence and adaptation to different situations and challenges they may face in future.
4. Inculcate team spirit in the students as this is a key requirement for Engineering practice as the students will be expected to work with diverse professionals from different fields and countries.
5. Create in the Students the values of openness, truth, respect, compassion and responsibility inherent in the practice of the profession.
6. Provide the enabling environment for the Students to acquire supportive skills and knowledge to enhance their performance and service delivery.